Index
That infant sleep is essential for the physical and psychological development of babies everyone knows. We also have reference tables for the appropriate number of hours that children should sleep according to age and also the number and time of naps. But it is not always easy as it is in theory and many families experience difficulties during their naps. To help the reading mothers here at Changing Diapers, let’s talk about some particularities of this part so important for the growth of your baby .
1) The first nap of the day is the most important! It is the nap that will most help your child to really rest. We are not talking here that the other naps are not important, but this is certainly the most restorative.
2) Many 6-month-old babies still need 3 naps a day. Although most babies at 6 months do away with their last nap, some still need this short sleep in the late afternoon to get ready to sleep at night. Some babies get so tired that if they don’t do this little nap, they will be irritated and unable to sleep properly at night, taking longer to get to sleep and waking up more often at night. It is important to observe your baby’s behavior before eliminating the third nap.
3) Many babies who sleep well at night have difficulty sleeping. Nighttime sleep is quite different from daytime sleep. A child may have difficulty sleeping in the light and with the noise of the day. The tip here is to make the environment suitable for the child to sleep also during the day. Slow down the house a little and also the lights at least to help your baby fall asleep. Think for a moment about family behavior. How is the mother’s sleep? And the father? Some children inherit their parents’ sleep patterns.
4) Know the periods when babies usually do naps and get ready for them. This is what happens most of the time:
- From 01 to 03 months – 4 to 5 naps per day ( suck on demand and usually wake up to be fed)
- From 03 to 04 months – 3 to 4 naps
- From 5 to 08 months – 3 naps
- From 9 to 15 months – 2 naps
- From 16 to 18 months – 1 to 2 naps
- From 18 months to 3 or 4 years – 1 nap
5) Naps made with movement are not as restorative as those made in calm environments and suitable for babies to sleep. Many mothers walk with the stroller around the house or even use the car as the fastest way to get the baby to sleep . Studies show that these naps are not as efficient as those where the baby is quiet, in a pleasant environment for sleep. Of course, sometimes this is the only solution, the important thing is not to let this become a habit and consequently a wrong sleep association – the baby needs to be rocked to sleep and perhaps the best solution is to adjust his routine and schedules to attend your baby’s sleep needs.
6) Babies who sleep well are in a good mood , are more adaptable and safer. Think of your child’s sleep as a gift, a learning experience that you can promote so that it develops properly physically and psychologically.
Michele Melão is an infant sleep consultant and baby planner certified by the International Academy of Baby Planner Professionals (IABPP) and International Maternity Institute (IMI), California, and is a partner at Maternitycoach.com.br – a consultancy specializing in various services for pregnant women and babies.
See also: Newborn Baby Crying – How to Identify the Reason?
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
